Croydon tram was doing 43.5mph in 12mph zone when it overturned on bend killing seven people
An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found the tram was travelling at three times the speed limit when it derailed
A TRAM that crashed in Croydon, killing seven people, was speeding at 43.5mph in a 12mph zone when it overturned on a bend.
An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found the tram was travelling at three times the speed limit when it derailed.
Six men and one woman were killed and 50 others were injured during their morning commute last Wednesday.
British Transport Police officially named Donald Collett, 62, Phillip Logan, 52, Robert Huxley, 63, Mark Smith, 35, Dane Chinnery, 19, Phil Seary, 57, and Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35 as the victims of the tragedy.
Driver Alfred Dorris, of Beckenham, South East London, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of manslaughter.
He has since been released on police bail until May.
Transport for London has offered to pay for the funerals of all seven people killed in the tram crash.
The operator has pledged to do “everything we can to support the families and all those affected”, following the derailment almost a week ago.
Heartbroken relatives of Croydon tram crash victim Robert Huxley revealed they had waited an agonising THREE days for his death to be confirmed by detectives.
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The 63-year-old’s family were not officially told until Saturday that he was one of seven people killed in the crash last Wednesday.
In a tribute to a “larger than life character” his wife Eileen and sons Ross and Adam said Robert, known as Bob, was also a season ticket holder for Chelsea football club.
The crashed tram carriages were taken away on the back of two lorries on Saturday morning and repair work on the track has started.
British Transport Police said the 100ft-long tram had been split into sections which were craned on to flatbed lorries.
All sections have now been taken away from the scene as the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) continues its inquiry.
Investigators found the tram was travelling at “significantly higher speeds” than those permitted when it derailed.
A spokeswoman for First Group, which carries out the day-to-day operation of the trams, said he had worked at the company since March 2008.
It is understood that establishing if Mr Dorris was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry.
The contents of a so-called black box data recorder on the tram were downloaded by investigators.
Mike Brown, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “We are doing everything we can to support the families and all those affected at this incredibly difficult time for them.
“This includes covering funeral costs and travel expenses for relatives. The TfL Sarah Hope line is available 24 hours a day to provide advice on a whole range of matters and immediate financial and other support.”
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